Quick Bits: Damon, A-Jax, Coke, Pineiro, S. Jackson, Sheffield
January 21, 2010, 9:00 am by iYankees · 8 Comments
Here are a few notable items on the morning (enjoy them with your coffee):
- Tyler Kepner wonders if FA Johnny Damon will pull a Kenny Rogers and wait for the spring to sign.
- Damon actually texted Kepner amidst retirement rumors and firmly stated that he wants to play in 2010.
- Lloyd McClendon, Detroit’s hitting coach, is eager to work with the Austin Jackson during spring training.
- GM Dave Dombrowski has said that Phil Coke could start in 2010, but Jim Leyland sees him as a reliever.
- To fill the void left by ace John Lackey, the Angels have signed Joel Pineiro for 2 years at $16M. Terrible.
- Pittsburgh has DFA’d former Yankees prospect, Steven Jackson, after claiming him off waivers in ‘09.
- Here’s an interesting bench idea by Steve over at TYU. How about the 41-year old Gary Sheffield?
The Yankees would never bring Sheff back, but as a right-handed pinch-hitter, you could do worse.
Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
I’m sure Johnny was livid about that retirement rumor. He took great issue with Torre’s claim that JD was not motivated and ambivalent about continuing his career in 2006/2007.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Torre certainly found a way to torch as many bridges as possible. For being such a nice guy, he really turned into a doucher the moment he was asked to earn some of his salary.
Like or Dislike:
3 
1
Yeah Ted- the classy guy we thought he was turned out to be all about sour grapes. His book was all about why he didn’t win anymore in NY:
arod was a fraud
Damon didn’t want to play
giambi was lazy
wells was a troublemaker
Clemens was a prima donna
talk about violating the sanctity of the clubhouse.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Did his book mention his choice to start Kevin Brown in game 7? Or his choice to start Clemens in the 2007 ALDS on 20 some days rest? Or his choice to then start Wang on short rest? Or his choice to overuse countless relievers while burying other effective ones in his doghouse based on one bad performance? Or his choice to bat Cairo 2nd in the order for half a season and play him at 1B? Or his choice to play Sheffield at 1B IN THE PLAYOFFS?!? Or his choice to bat ARod 8th? Or his choice not to pull the team off the field when Joba was being attacked by midges? Or his choice to bring Jeff Weaver into a tie game in extra innings of a pivotal World Series game?
Torre is at least partially responsible for them not winning the WS in 01, 03, 04, 06, and 07.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Ted – I am impressed with your razor sharp, memory specific, castration of Joe torre’s failings as a mgr. Please write a book countering his accusations – I would pay $ 20.99 for it, or at least $9.99 on Amazon Kindle.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Wow! in the AJax article comments section tiger fans seem to have NO confidence in Lloyd McClendon’s ability as a hitting coach. they seem to think he dropped the ball with granderson too.
maybe, KLong can be a more positive influence on Granderson’s overall approach etc. Sounds like potential good news for Yankee fans.
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
McClendon can steal a base though.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0